Technicon Instruments Corporation

Joseph E DiFlora

James A Mawhirt

William J McCandless

Luigi Cantatore

Marvin Trieb

George H Ward

The test tube holder includes an elongated tubular member which supports a pivot member thereby rendering the tubular member and pivot member relatively pivotable with respect to each other. Latch members provided on the tubular member and pivot member are engagable with complementary shaped latch members of other test tube holders to form a linkage. The pivotal relationship between the tubular member and the pivot member permit pivotal movement of one test tube holder with respect to the longitudinal axis of another test tube holder. A pivotal connection between the latch members of adjacent test tube holders also permits tilting of one test tube holder with respect to another test tube holder in the linkage. An adapter member for holding test tubes is insertable in the tubular member and pivot member assembly. The adapter member accommodates one size test tube and can be interchanged with another adapter member that accommodates another size test tube. Thus, the linkage of test tube holders can include test tubes of different size. The relative pivotal movement between test tube holders in the linkage permits stacking of the linkage in a fan-fold arrangement. The tilting movement between test tube holders in a linkage permits mixing of the contents of a test tube or a group of test tubes independent of all others in the linkage before a sample is tested. Under this arrangement, a linkage of test tubes of unlimited length can be provided.

Test tube holder

The automatic sampling system includes a test apparatus for testing specific characteristics of a fluid withdrawn from a closed test tube. Stoppered test tubes are continuously and automatically delivered to the test apparatus by a conveyor system that includes a continuous linkage of test tube holders. The test tube holders have the capability of pivotal movement about a longitudinal axis of the test tube holders, and tilting movement wherein a longitudinal axis of one test tube holder tilts with respect to the longitudinal axis of another test tube holder in the linkage. The compound pivotal and tilting movement capability of the test tube holders in the linkage enable the linkage to be stacked in a fan-fold or Z-fold arrangement because of the flexible characteristics of the linkage. The linkage also has the capability of having one or more test tube holders tilted together at a group with respect to other test tube holders. Thus, the basis for a mixing operation of specific test tube holders is achieved. The conveyor system can be incorporated as a module of the test apparatus. An aspiration head for withdrawing fluid from individual stoppered test tubes in successive fashion as they are delivered by the conveyor system is also a modular addition to the test apparatus.

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Eastchester, NY, United States of America

Joseph E DiFlora